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Macron starts Africa tour by visiting Gabon

Before setting out, the French president pledged in Paris, to "drastically downsize" the French military group in Africa, but did not give the exact parameters of planned reductions

PARIS, March 2. /TASS/. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived on Wednesday night in Gabon’s capital Libreville as the first stop of his week-long tour around Africa, the Elysee Palace said.

"Macron met with Gabon’s President Ali Bongo [Ondimba] at a working dinner," the French president’s office said, without elaborating on the theme of the talks.

Before setting out, the French president pledged in Paris, to "drastically downsize" the French military group in Africa, but did not give the exact parameters of planned reductions.

According to Macron, France will switch to managing its army bases in Africa jointly with the African nations’ military agencies. New military partnerships will rely on training programs for host countries, and France will provide assistance to local military authorities, in particular in the area of intelligence.

On Thursday, Macron is scheduled to attend a forum on forest conservation and hold a series of meetings on environmental issues.

On Thursday evening, Macron will head to Angola’s capital Luanda on the second leg of his tour. He is also scheduled to visit Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo) and Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

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France Emmanuel Macron

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